Red Sox prospect Jon Denney arrested in Lee County_BINARY_1520095

DUNEDIN, Fla. — For the third consecutive spring, a Red Sox player has been arrested in Lee County for a traffic offense.

By Tim Britton

DUNEDIN, Fla. — For the third consecutive spring, a Red Sox player has been arrested in Lee County for a traffic offense.

Catcher Jon Denney, a third-round pick in the 2013 draft, was arrested early Thursday morning for knowingly driving with a suspended license.

The arrest was first reported by Yahoo Sports.

According to the Lee County incident report, the 19-year-old Denney was initially pulled over just before midnight on Wednesday, March 12 for fishtailing out of a stop sign. Denney could not produce a proper driver’s license, as his had been suspended for an earlier DUI.

Denney was released and picked up by a friend, only to be pulled over two hours later when he attempted to get behind the wheel of his truck again. At this point, Denney became belligerent with police “and started to cuss,” according to the incident report.

Denney stated that “he was a Boston Red Sox player and he didn’t care he had money and made more money than we would ever see.” Denney was placed into handcuffs, at which time he stated he would be out in no time because of who he played for and that he made three million a year.

“The Red Sox are aware of the incident involving Jon Denney,” said a team statement. “At present, we are still gathering more information. At this time the club will make no further comment.”

Denney was released on $500 bond on Thursday morning, roughly six hours after his arrest. He has a court date set for March 31.

Heading into the draft, Denney was projected by some to be taken in the first round. Signability concerns dropped him into the third round, and Boston was able to land him by paying out a bonus of $875,000 — above slot. (He does not, however, make $3 million per season as a minor-leaguer.)

Denney played in 26 games in the Gulf Coast League last season, hitting .203 with a .379 on-base percentage.

Red Sox relievers Bobby Jenks and Drake Britton had been arrested for driving under the influence during spring training each of the past two years.

The organization will make a decision on Denney’s status over the weekend.